2015 Antoniolo Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato (750ml)

Antoniolo is considered by many to be the most important estate in Gattinara, Alto Piemonte’s most well-known appellation. It is run by brother and sister team Alberto and Lorella Antoniolo but was established in 1948 by their grandfather Mario. In the 1950s and 60s, when many Italians were fleeing the countryside for work in Piedmont’s factories, Antoniolo was snapping up the area’s best vineyards. By the 1970s, they had an enviable collection of Gattinara’s top crus, including a monopole on the Osso San Grato vineyard. In 1974, Rosanna Antoniolo, decided to bottle her Osso San Grato and San Francesco as single vineyard wines. Though a few producers in the Langhe were already doing this, it was revolutionary for Gattinara. Today, the estate has 14 hectares under vine, and the siblings follow the strict guidelines of their pioneering mother. Fermentations are done slowly in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, and all of the Gattinaras are aged as long as Riservas, even if they only started carrying the designation in the 2015 vintage. Only about 4,600 cases are produced annually on average.

"The 2015 Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato marries finesse with power in grand style. Rose petal, sage, mint, sweet pipe tobacco, licorice and dried flowers lend striking aromatic nuance to a Gattinara that is endowed with tons of personality. Another few years should help soften the tannins. It is such a pretty and expressive Gattinara. Even with quite a bit of air, the Osso San Grato remains bright, polished and utterly beguiling." 96 points - Antonio Galloni (Vinous, October 2020)